Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-04-25
THE VERSAILLES LOCkET.


which led him when once he had saved a littl,
money to rent the principal corner store il
town and advertise brisklW And part wa
due to his name, which had all ari~tocrati,
sound
Fcntaine was a Young man of fine address
with knack of apt apparel. and he quickly
became the leading jeweler. His credit wa,
excellent from the start He bought ,liscreetly
of the manufacturers, won and held popular
retail trade, and in five years rose to a good
commercial position.
/ One September morning stranger askec
for Mr.. Fontaine at the store. a gentleman OF
foreign accent and appearance handsomely
attired, with shrewd, energetic face. He
WAS salesman for a French manufacturing
firm, who solicited trade direct with Amer
can retailers His prices seemed high al
though his wares were original in pattern
and the stones Of superior purity and luster
In fact, it was grade of jewels more costly
than Fontaiue had yet carried, and it ap-
Ieared doubtful if his quiet town would
justify such expensive investments. Accord.
inSly he declined to buy.
The stranger retired. but in a half hour re
turned again He had made inquiries at the
banks and satisfied himself OF the jewelers. re
sponSibllity. He now offered to leave few
articles on commission for the purpose OF i'll
Producing his styles FontaIne welcomed this
proposal and gave the required receipts, Oh
tanning a dozen very handsome gold breast
pins, bearing ruby, sapphire and emerald in
unique settings, and a costly locket. He eN-
ulted over the brilliant additions to his ex-
hibit, which would at least lend eclat to the
stock and add To his repute.
The locket especially was notable acces-
sion. and he gave it conspicuous place on
the plate glass shelf of his corner show win
dow. Ii was oval in form, q. solid gold
adorned with delicate bas relief work and
dainty enamel. II was studded with clus-
ter of five diamonds on each side. These
diamonds were clear and vivid, uniform in
size and quality and of radiant depth.
We ought TO give that locket a name, y
said Jean Fontaine, as he stood by the win
dow admring it. Jean was Rsginald's
brother and chief clerk, a skillful and compe-
tent assistant
Suppose We label it, Former property
of Marie Antoinette,'" suggested Reginald,
who was wont to make free use Of his imagi-
nation
No. nor replied the more prosaic Jean.
We can't ascribe historical qualities. 1t
looks too new. We might call it A Congo
Souvenir or The Tonqin Trophy
Reginald demurred.
Not one in ten of our customers will know
it is French, or even understand such a
name They will think it was made in
Connecticut, unless we state the contrary.
will have little placard printed naming
ii the Versailles Locket,' asl announcing
myself as importer"
Accordingly, next day appeared delicate
advertisement in black and white: The
Versailles Locket.-Our own Importation
Direct from France-Genuine Diamonds
Fine Gold Hand Graven-Price, 5000
Time passed The ladies of the town came,
examined and admired the locket. Christmas
went by and still the jewel lay in its satin bed
upon the plate glass shelf unsoid. The breast
pins wer,. taken, but the locket proved too
expensive for Fontaine's patrons. Twenty
five hundred dollars was the sum he stood
accountable for TO the French manufacturer
i'll payment for this locket should he make
sale, and although in confidential moments
he offered it 10 special customers at g., 200,
no one profited by this liberal discount from
the set price Every night the locket WAS
carefully put away in the burglar proof COM
partment of his huge steel vault, and every
morning its plush box was restored to the
show shelf, but the jewel seemed likely to re-
main as an advertisement until ths travelling
salesman re-appeared to claim it.
One day gentleman came in and left his
gold watch for repairs. This was a tall,
majeStic person, whom Fontaine had often
seen Of late upon the streets, wearing heavy
sealskin cap and u melton ulster, with collar
aud cuffs and pocket laps of seal fur, and
clad throughout with Difference TO fashion.
His watch was heavily chased and very valu-
able He was particular to take a receipt in
the name of +. +. Barton, and departed
abruptly without SO much as recognizing in
Reginald Fontaine the proprietor of the
premises.
At the appointed time Mr.. Barton returned
for his watch. fontaine i'll person waited on
him, and noticed the massive signet ring
worn 10y his customer, the onyx monogram
Of which seemed cracked Mr.. Barton threw
down a So bill with an Indifferent air, aud
gathered up the change without appearing to
take count of it He hooked the golden loop
Of his heavy chain into its buttonhole, re-
stored the watch to his pocket with an air of
satisfaction, and turned away.
81 see that your signet is broken" said
Reginald Fontaine, respectfully.
a little" replied Mr. Barton, drawing on
his fleece lined glove.
Il am now taking orders for signets.
Should YOU wish to have the stone replaced
at any time l can have it duplicated with pre-
Cision AT reasonable cost
The visitor bowed as he pulled on his other
glove, and replied:
II, = L., -, o,I
was cracked a century ago. Nothing could
replace it.
In that case, Of course not" rejoined Fon-
taine. He drew from drawer ring tray.
III you are interested in rings examine these.
have some odd forms here. don't expect
YOU TO buy, sir; but l am an enthusiast in
my trade, and if any one likes to look l like
70 show the goods
And. ia fact, it was a feature of Fon-
taine's sagacious policy that he tried to have
every customer see as many Of his wares as
possible.
Mr.. Barton glanced incuriously over the
tray
"rve seen acres of rings" he replied, with
a curling lip. And he continued to button
his gloves.
as there ANYTHING l can show you that you
are interested in." continued Fontaine, po-
litely, replacing the tray. Family plate.
tableware chidren's or ladies' ornaments
Mr. Barton had faced toward the door. He
turned about with feeble curiosity to ask:
what have you in the way of ladies' orna-
mentSr
Fontaine led is-customer to q showcase
glittering with bracelets, combs, pins and
other bijoutry.
"The variety mas been little broken by
our Christmas sales, he began
"No matter, l need not trouble you" in
terrupted Mr.. Barton. "There is nothing
here that | wish
1T is the best assortment in town, =" retorted
Reginald Fontaine.
"Very likely. But came from Paris only
six months since, and shall return in the
spring. i think / can afford to wait until
that time before buy
With some warmth Fontaine flew to the
show window and caught up the locket. He
out this before his scornful visitor.
-fiere Is something You have never seen ex
,,Il.l M Paris nr .lS.wher,